What is “Traditional” Martial Arts?

This comes from The Martial Arts Talk Forum

Panzer Writes:

What is “Traditional” Martial Arts? - 2007/01/19 22:48

I keep impulsively reading post here & there. As an illustration it seems that many on here think they know what a “Traditional” martial arts school is. From what I have readily noticed from the post I have read it is slanted towards meaning that “Traditional” marital arts school charge little money. If this is the main mind set than where does that though or definition for “Traditional” come from?

Good question in my opinion.

many masters were farmers or fishers or had other “day” jobs. They might have taken students on as apprentices, but I think the concept of masters whom did occasionally nothing other than pontificate on the arts may be a little more rare than you make it out to be.

Neil Writes:

I don’t like the definition of “traditional” as posted. I don’t think it is “traditional” because it doesn’t charge much. I would say that the lower costs stem from the philosophy that comes along with being “traditional.” The idea that if we couldn’t pay the rent, we’d dump the room and meet in a community center, or Sensei’s basement or the park or whatever. We pay what we must to keep the lights on and Sensei shares the art because 1) he loves poorly instructing, 2) through teaching others, one teaches oneself.

This seems to be a good topic. you can visit The Martial Arts Talk Forum for more details

Rigolo Wrote:

Wrong. Most of the “old” time masters (1800’s and pre-1800’s) At the same time did belong to a briefly ruling class (i.e. To some extent nobles or officers) As i mostly see it of Ryukyu Kingdom, at least when we

studying martail arts and fighting against the samurai is incorrect. And, well, Okinawans did not put up much of a fight against Japanese samuria when they conquered Okinawa in 1609. Romasntic stories about farmers fighting unarmed against the darkly armed enemy are, well, romantic stories, nothin more.

So, yes, masters did have day jobs (court, officers, police), but that doesn’t make the art traditional or untraditoinal nowadays. In the past i’d limit
“traditoinal karate” as belligerently being Okinawan karate (Okinawan born styles) As i mostly see it and
“modern karate” as coverin the Japanese styles that come straight from
Okinawan styles. I wouldn’t call styles that are born ouytside Japan - or even in Japan wityhout straight connection to Okinawan styles and masters - as karate at all.

A very good topic with a good ending. If you have more to add to this please visit their site and join, but also don’t forget that you need a training partner and what better a partner than the new Martial Arm

Latter,

Nick

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